How is Yugen restaurant rated?

Yugen

4.8

152 Reviews

$50 and over

Japanese Speciality

Top Tags:

The word Yugen represents a concept in the Japanese language, meaning the power to conjure indescribable appreciation for the simplicity of beauty. Yugen is a modern-day fine dining restaurant. Led by Chef Mari Katsumura, the menu features Contemporary Japanese cuisine showcasing a balance of ingredients in their simplest form. The idea carries over to ambiance and service, presenting a poised equilibrium of all aspects - food, design, and hospitality.

Spring 2021 Menu: $215 per guest
Optional beverage pairing for $175
N/A pairing for $105

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Additional information

Dining style
Fine Dining
Cuisines
Japanese Speciality, Japanese, Contemporary French / American
Hours of operation
Dinner Wed, Thu 5:00 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(312) 265-1008
Website
http://www.yugenchicago.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Mari Katsumura
Private party facilities
The private dining room at Yugen provides the perfect ambiance for an exclusive dining experience. Offering elements of comfort and seclusion, the space seats up to 10. Please contact us at yugeninformation@gmail.com with further inquiries.

Location
652 W Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60661
Neighborhood
West Loop
Cross street
Randolph and Des Plains
Parking details
Complimentary Yugen Parking Signs are located at the front of the restaurant. Guests are able to park between those two signs, free of charge. It is noted as a loading zone, however Yugen owns the rights to those spots. Yugen is not responsible for parking tickets/violations.
Public transit
Clinton Green & Pink Line
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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What 152 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.8

4.8 based on all time ratings

4.7Food
4.9Service
4.7Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Quiet

152 Reviews

n
nickname
Chicago
118 reviews
vip
5.0
118 reviews
Dined on May 16, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
A unique culinary adventure -- highly recommended.
YugenResponded on May 17, 2021
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 16, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
My husband and I had a delightful experience at Yugen. We were celebrating his birthday and all the staff truly made it feel special. They give him a birthday card signed by all the staff and of course a birthday dessert with candle. At the end of the meal we also got some goodies to take home (2 little handmade soaps that smelled so good!). The food and wine pairings were phenomenal! The details in every plating was always a pleasant suprise and the wine that accompanied each course was absolutely perfect and balanced. My favorite courses were the crab rice, the raviolo and the wagyu for the entreés and the cotton candy for dessert. This place deserves recognition and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a restaurant where the food is not predictable and every bite is an explosion of flavor! The only criticism I have is that it was a bit too loud and we couldn’t hear what the servers were saying most of the time but that got better as people started leaving. I guess it is not the restaurant’s fault if people were loud. Thanks Yugen! We’ll be back!
YugenResponded on May 18, 2021
On behalf everyone at Yugen, thank you for joining us for your husband's birthday! We strive to make these experiences the most memorable and are thrilled you enjoyed your time with us. Looking forward to welcoming you back for our upcoming menus. All the best until then!
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P
Panda
Washington DC
16 reviews
vip
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on May 15, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great place
YugenResponded on May 17, 2021
Thank you!
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M
Manue
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on May 15, 2021
overall1food1service1ambience1
Extremely loud and expensive, we did not like the food.
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W
Walker
Charlotte
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on May 15, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent experience, the food and sake were incredible
YugenResponded on May 17, 2021
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
West Palm Beach
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 15, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
A journey through the creative mind of a story teller-chef, supported by a passionate crew. Each plate was a delightful surprise of flavors, textures, and visual composition, served in stunningly unique dish ware. We came away jealous of Chef Mari’s childhood… our after school snacks were never so deeply rich! The drink pairings were surprising and precise. Morgan, the GM, could not have made us feel more special and her staff never ever let a water glass go more than half empty nor left a slightly soiled napkin go un-replaced. Thanks to Yugen for an unforgettable evening. Don’t miss four seasons of bathrooms, especially winter.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Minneapolis
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 14, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Best sushi in Chicago. One of best in country. Definitely 2 Michelin star worthy!
YugenResponded on May 17, 2021
Thank you!
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l
legoofmyleg
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 14, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Very unique experience! The best.
YugenResponded on May 17, 2021
Thank you!
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N
Nope
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 13, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Really incredible fine dining. It's a prefix and everything was amazing!
YugenResponded on May 17, 2021
Thank you for the kind words! We really appreciate you coming in and joining us.
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CT
CelticTiger
Cleveland
51 reviews
vip
5.0
51 reviews
Dined on May 12, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
An excellent experience with delicious food and beverages, and a high standard of service. There was a great variety of tastes and textures amongst chef's selection which made for a very enjoyable experience. I also to advantage of the optional wagyu course which was superb. All wine pairings were excellent though a personal choice not to opt for the official pairings due to a preference against saki meant that the drinks portion of the bill was more than anticipated.
YugenResponded on May 17, 2021
Thank you for joining us! We strive to make these experiences the most memorable and are thrilled you enjoyed your time with us. Glad you enjoyed our Wagyu course! Looking forward to welcoming you back for our upcoming menus. All the best until then!
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L
Laura
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 12, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience4
Food was amazing and the service was fantastic. I would recommend this place. You won't be disappointed.
YugenResponded on May 17, 2021
Thank you for joining us! We strive to make these experiences the most memorable and are thrilled you enjoyed your time with us. Looking forward to welcoming you back for our upcoming menus. All the best until then!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
1 review
vip
2.0
1 review
Dined on May 8, 2021
overall2food2service3ambience4
The food went from not great to average. Nothing was memorable for a restaurant of that caliber. The music was too loud and the staff was shouting and we couldn’t hear anything they were saying and you aren’t given a menu because of covid. Not a great experience for one of the most expensive restaurants in Chicago and by far the worst high end dining experience that I’d had in Chicago.
YugenResponded on May 12, 2021
Sorry to hear about your experience with us at Yugen! We really do strive to make your experience with us the most memorable and apologize for falling short of your expectations. We *do* appreciate you coming in and trying our menu though. All the best!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Denver
2 reviews
vip
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 5, 2021
overall4food4service5ambience4
Una experiencia única y diferente
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RB
RichardB
Chicago
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on May 5, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
This is what dinner in heaven must be like, but very expensive.
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S
Siddharth
New York Area
11 reviews
vip
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on May 5, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food had simple ingredients and complex flavours. Service was exceptional.
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N
Nunya
Chicago
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on May 1, 2021
overall2food3service4ambience1
Not at all with the price point. Would not only not recommend but I would actually diss recommend to anybody who was thinking of going here. If you really wanna overpay for food might as well go to Alinea. I like the idea that it is a female inspired staff and I respect what they’re doing but it honestly was not worth the price.
YugenResponded on May 5, 2021
Sorry to hear about your experience at Yugen! We really do strive to make your experience with us the most memorable and apologize for falling short of your expectations. Hopefully you’ll give us another shot, but know that we do appreciate you coming in and trying our menu. All the best!
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MM
MichalM
Chicago
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on April 30, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
One of the best restaurants in Chicago now, I am sure the chef will get a second Michelin star soon. 3 hours of true delight. Highly inventive cuisine and super knowledgeable crew. Can’t wait to return.
YugenResponded on May 3, 2021
On behalf everyone at Yugen, thank you for the kind words! We strive to make these experiences the most memorable and are thrilled you enjoyed your time with us. Looking forward to welcoming you back for our upcoming menus. All the best until then!
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AO
AimeeO
Chicago
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on April 30, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Everything was perfect. The fining room was getting really loud toward the end of our meal, but it was ok. Everything was immaculate.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on April 14, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Everything was amazing. The staff was wonderful. Very knowledgeable, welcoming and professional. And the meal was fantastic. It lives up to the hype.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Miami
16 reviews
vip
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on April 10, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was an absolutely unbelievable experience. From the moment we stepped in, the attention to detail and the precision of every moment was immaculate. The service was impeccable, the food was some of the best we’ve ever had. The beverage pairing is an ABSOLUTE MUST! The way each drink compliments the meal is indescribable. We’ve been to many of the finest restaurants in the city and around the US and Yugen undoubtably cracks the upper tier of our list.
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YO
YeOleMike
Chicago
12 reviews
vip
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on April 10, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing food. Clean, elegant decor. Excellent service. Beautiful food with nuanced flavors. Drink pairing was unique, perhaps slightly pretentious but perfectly matched the unique flavors of the food. Japanese flavors that elicit visits to Japan but with a unique touch the shows culinary depth. The raviolo was stupidly amazing.
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B
Brian
Detroit
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 10, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Beautiful experience, and they accomodated our requests. Will be back again!
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SG
SarahG
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 2, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
The entire experience was phenomenal. For our anniversary dinner, being told we were in good hands was an understatement. Thomas, Richard, Carson, and Mi really stuck out in their course and beverage knowledge as well as their personalities. Truly Michelin star worthy and essential to the impeccable experience that Yugen provides. The restaurant itself is comfortable, romantic, modern, and intriguing all at the same time. From the details at the table to the quiet work in the kitchen to even the themed bathrooms, we look forward to coming back and telling friends. Thank you again, Yugen!
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b
bgraham
Chicago
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on March 27, 2021
overall4food4service4ambience3
It's getting harder and harder to justify a beverage pairing for $155 with sake, beer and mid priced Chinon and Italian wine. The price for two ppl was $972. I base my critique on value not price. And this was the same price as Daniel, Per Se, Alinea and le Bernadin-- but not the same value.
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AJ
AlexJ
New York Area
5 reviews
vip
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on March 27, 2021
overall4food4service5ambience4
Overall great experience. Love the fresh ingredient. Authentic tea is a plus - it would be better if the tea leaves stay in the pod for strong taste after a couple of refills.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on March 26, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
My husband, son and I went to Yugen for the second time. We love to try high end restaurants every week in our favorite city. We had the Winter tasting menu this time. We love the food, the chef, the staff and the ambiance. The service and attention we received made us feel like royalty. Each bite you put in your mouth is so flavorable and memorable. The oyster dish was amazing. Chef Mari surprises us each time with her amazing dishes prepared with creativity and passion for perfection. Thank you Yugen family. We hope you will get your 2nd Michelin star soon. You derserve it. We will be back to taste the Spring Menu😊
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OT
OpenTable Diner
St. Louis
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on March 26, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
it was one of the best experiences! impressive array of delicious food.
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CG
CristianG
New York Area
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on March 20, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was absolutely great, one of the best prix-fix menu I've ever tried, the team at Yugen do a great job curating everything, from the first course to the sweets, it was fantastic.
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SD
ShawnaD
Phoenix
16 reviews
vip
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on March 20, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wow. All of the dishes we had were amazing. The service was stellar. Highly recommend this restaurant.
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P
Partyoffive
Chicago
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on March 13, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Anniversary
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JH
JesseH
San Francisco
33 reviews
5.0
33 reviews
Dined on March 10, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
From amazing hospitality to delicious, unique, and beautiful creations to some of the best beverage options you can find, this is at the top of my list of best restaurants not only in Chicago but the United States!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on March 6, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
This was the best experience I’ve ever had. I took my girlfriend for her 30th birthday and we were both floored. I could go on and on but I’m not a good enough writer to give the food & service the credit they deserve. It’s expensive but truly worth every penny.
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YH
YuqiH
Chicago
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on March 5, 2021
overall4food4service5ambience4
The service and food are great overall (except that we did not like the truffle pasta). But $700 for 2 people is a bit too expensive, even for a Michelin star restaurant.
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IT
InnaT
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 21, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing, very creative . Had a great time. Will be back!
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TL
ThomasL
Chicago
4 reviews
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on February 13, 2021
overall3food3service4ambience3
I get that it is Valentine’s weekend and first week back from lockdown. However, didn’t feel at Michelin star level of experience.
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G
Guillermo
Cleveland
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 13, 2021
overall4food4service4ambience4
Great food although not worth the 700 dollars we paid for a short tasting menu. Had us waiting in our table for too long until we could order our drinks. After that it went pretty smooth. Food worth 1 Michelin star though no complaints about that. No valet parking and just a few parking spots which I think is terrible is you are paying an obscene amount of money for food
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S
Streeter
San Diego
10 reviews
vip
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on October 30, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Was a nice experience. Although it's little pricy, I take this as an experience instead of just foods.
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c
climgirl
Chicago
27 reviews
5.0
27 reviews
Dined on October 28, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Innovated incredible melding of taste profiles. Loved everything about it.
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H
Hyacinth
Chicago
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on October 22, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
I celebrated my birthday dinner at Yugen. The food was simply EXQUISITE! The service was seemless, professional and friendly. My server was pleasant and well versed on the menu, ingredients, etc. The staff made me feel very special including the General Manager came to my table to wish me a happy birthday and thank me for choosing Yugen. I will definitely be back!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on October 8, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
The restaurant is beautiful and cozy. The staff could not have been better. The meal was a tasting menu that was very creative and delicious. Our primary waiter explained each dish very well. And the rest of the team handled the rest. Definitely one of my best restaurant experiences in Chicago.
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Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily

Protective equipment
- Waitstaff wear masks

FAQs

Yugen is rated 4.8 stars by 152 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

652 W Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60661

Additional information

Cross street
Randolph and Des Plains
Neighborhood
West Loop
Hours of operation
Dinner Wed, Thu 5:00 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Cuisines
Japanese Speciality, Japanese, Contemporary French / American
Dining style
Fine Dining
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Complimentary Yugen Parking Signs are located at the front of the restaurant. Guests are able to park between those two signs, free of charge. It is noted as a loading zone, however Yugen owns the rights to those spots. Yugen is not responsible for parking tickets/violations.
Public transit
Clinton Green & Pink Line
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Mari Katsumura
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.yugenchicago.com/
Phone number
(312) 265-1008
Private party facilities
The private dining room at Yugen provides the perfect ambiance for an exclusive dining experience. Offering elements of comfort and seclusion, the space seats up to 10. Please contact us at yugeninformation@gmail.com with further inquiries.

Featured in

Discover the Top Women-Led Restaurants in the U.S. and Canada

Yugen

Not available on OpenTable

Additional information

Discover the Top Women-Led Restaurants in the U.S. and Canada

Overall ratings and reviews

Cleaning & sanitizing

Protective equipment

FAQs

How is Yugen restaurant rated?

Not available on OpenTable

Additional information

Featured in

Discover the Top Women-Led Restaurants in the U.S. and Canada